How to become a Spanish citizen: All ways to get Spanish second citizenship

It is not possible to immediately obtain a passport by investment: the applicant first receives a temporary residence permit and then a permanent residence permit. After ten years, they can apply for a Spanish passport.

This method is suitable for wealthy people who want to move to Spain or travel around the EU without a visa with the whole family.

First stage: residence permit. In Spain, you can get a residence permit in exchange for investment: a golden visa. The applicant invests money in the country’s economy, passes the Due Diligence check and complies with the terms of the program; in returnhey receive a residence permit under a simplified procedure.

The Spanish golden visa program offers several investment options to choose from:

• buy residential or commercial real estate or land for €500,000;

• purchase government bonds for €2,000,000;

• invest €1,000,000 in Spanish companies;

• place €1,000,000 in a deposit account in a Spanish bank.

Purchasing real estate is the most popular option. Although all options for obtaining a residence permit in Spain allow most of the initial investment to be returned to the investor over time, the option of buying a home remains the most popular option, as it also helps the investor maintain the value of the money they originally invested.

A residence permit is initially issued for a year, then extended twice for 2 years. During this period, the investor needs to spend just 7 days a year in Spain. After 5 years, the property can be sold and the investment returned.

In order to maintain the residence permit and apply for citizenship, the investor must buy or rent a property. However, there are no requirements regarding the value or rent of this property.

There is no obligation on the investor to obtain Spanish citizenship: they can continue to live in Spain by extending their residence permit if they prefer.

Individual cost calculation for residence by investment in Spain

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Second stage: permanent residence. After 5 years, the investor can obtain a permanent residence permit. This gives almost the same rights as citizenship. The holder can live in Spain without any restrictions: they are allowed to work, do business, and get an education. They can also stay in other EU countries for up to 90 days without registration or obtain a permanent residence permit by using a simplified procedure.

The main requirement for obtaining permanent residence is to have lived permanently in Spain for 5 years before submitting the application. Additionally, the applicant will need a valid medical insurance policy, proof of financial independence through a legal and documented source of income, and documents confirming ownership of real estate or a rental agreement. When issuing a residence permit, the authorities also check that the applicant is law-abiding and is in the process of integrating into Spanish society.

Permanent residence can be maintained for life. It must be renewed every 5 years.

Stage three: citizenship. 5 years after receiving permanent residence, the holder can apply for Spanish citizenship. They will need to have lived continuously in the country for the 10 years preceding the application, be integrated into Spanish society and know Spanish.

All close family members of the investor can be included in the application. Candidates who have continuously complied with the terms and conditions of the application after obtaining a residence permit are granted citizenship by the government department.

Pros of Spanish citizenship by investment

1. Quick processing of the residence permit: within 2 or 3 months. The right to live in the country indefinitely.

2. The close family members of the main applicant can also immediately get a residence permit.

3. The terms and conditions for getting a residence permit are less stringent: applicants do not need to take any exams or tests.

4. The investor and the family members included in the application immediately get the opportunity to travel around the Schengen countries without visas, educate their children in European universities, and open accounts in European banks.

5. All investment options allow most of the initial investment to be returned. No additional contributions are required.

6. After 5 years as a permanent residence card holder, you can legally work and do business in Spain.

Cons of Spanish citizenship by investment

1. The applicant needs to live permanently in the country for 10 years without leaving it for more than 6 months in a year.

2. Foreigners resident in Spain are not allowed to work there for the first 5 years of residence.

3. The property must be owned for at least 5 years.

4. In most cases, you have to renounce the citizenship of your country of origin, as Spain does not allow dual or second citizenship with most countries.
   Only citizens of France, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and a number of Latin American countries are allowed to keep their citizenship after getting Spanish citizenship.

Worth considering the Spain Golden Visa? View the video for answers

Naturalization consists of the same stages as the path for an investor with a golden visa. To obtain citizenship, the applicant first needs to obtain a residence permit followed by a permanent residence permit. The whole process takes at least 10 years. The main difference is that the requirements are stricter; for example, regarding integrating into society.

The naturalization process is more complicated than citizenship by investment:

• during the entire application period, the applicant needs to constantly confirm the specific purpose of their stay in Spain, for example, work or study;

• the applicant’s spouse and children will need to obtain separate permits;

• as there is strong demand for Spanish residence permits, the government limits applications by setting an annual quota. As a result, the process can take much longer than 10 years to complete.

The path related to family reunification begins with a Spanish residence permit. This means that family members, for example, the spouse of a Spanish citizen, their parents, and the children that they have in common, can obtain a residence permit by special permission without being restricted by the quota set by the government.

Different documents can be used to confirm kinship. For example, the applicant’s spouse will need a marriage registration certificate or a civil partnership agreement. Elderly parents need to prove their financial dependence on the main applicant: for example, 12 months of money transfer receipts.

The family members included in the application may also apply for citizenship. Usually, after 10 years of continuous life in the country. For the spouse and children of a Spanish citizen, this period is shorter: up to 1 year.

You are also eligible to apply for a passport if you have a close relative who is a Spanish citizen.

Individual cost calculation for residence by investment in Spain

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The “right of blood” applies in Spain. This means that a child is considered to be of Spanish origin in the following circumstances:

• at least one of the parents has Spanish citizenship;

• one of the parents was born in Spain;

• the child is adopted by a Spanish citizen.

Adult foreigners can also apply for Spanish citizenship if they meet these conditions. This option is called citizenship by choice.

Only in rare cases does the "law of the soil" apply. For example, if a child was born in the country and their parents are unknown.

After marriage, citizenship can be obtained after a couple lives together for a year in Spain. It is important to be in the country legally, based on a valid visa or residence permit.

This rule also applies to widows and widowers if they were living together at the time of death.

Citizenship can be obtained within a year if you live in the country permanently.

A person who is under the guardianship of citizens or institutions of Spain is eligible to become a citizen. They need to continuously live in the country for just one year instead of the standard 10 years.

The main requirement is that the guardianship must have started at least 2 years prior to the application for citizenship.

All these methods give the same rights and obligations as for any other citizen of Spain. As the country is part of the European Union, a Spanish passport is also a pan-European one. This offers additional benefits for Spanish citizens:

• a comfortable life in an economically developed and stable country in the European Union. Spain ranks second in the list of the best European countries to live in retirement;

• the ability to move to any EU country for permanent residence;

• study at the best European universities;

• the right to conduct business or work in prestigious European companies. Spain is included in the top‑5 countries for foreign professionals;

• a high quality medical system;

• loans at favorable interest rates;

• possibility to legally reduce tax obligations;

• deposit funds in reliable European banks;

• travel around Europe without visas;

• purchase and register real estate and cars in your name.

The two main ways of getting Spanish citizenship are through naturalization or by investment. A Spanish passport can be obtained by a person who has permanently lived in the country for 10 years and complies with its laws. Applying for citizenship by investment makes the procedure simpler and significantly reduces the risk of rejection. The rest of the methods depend on specific individual circumstances and are suitable only in certain circumstances.

Immigrant Invest’s lawyers will help you determine if Spanish citizenship is right for you and also discuss alternatives.

1. There are six pathways to Spanish citizenship, including naturalisation, marriage, family reunification, guardianship, and origin or choice. One cannot obtain Spain citizenship by investment directly.

2. The Spain Golden Visa is ideal for wealthy individuals seeking residency and citizenship in the country. Investment options range from real estate to government bonds, and the minimum investment amount starts at €500,000.

3. Citizenship through naturalisation in Spain requires 10 years of legal residency, beginning with a residence permit. Foreigners acquiring a Spanish passport must renounce their first citizenship.

4. The Spanish passport grants access to the EU, including the ability to live, work, and study across Europe. Additional perks include a high-quality healthcare system, favorable loans, and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.